A fiery spark plug of a man, steps to the microphone, and in a full, gospel-drenched voice, barks the lyrics to Otis Rush's Keep On Lovin' Me Baby like commands. Then he steps back and discharges a series of clear, surprisingly fat-toned notes from his Stratocaster, turning the dancers into watchers, and the watchers into people standing, whistling, and applauding. This is a Byther Smith concert in all its intensity and raw power. Learning from and playing with Otis Rush, Junior Wells, Howlin' Wolf, Robert Lockwood and Big Mama Thornton, Smith stands today as one of the most important links to the heady days of mid-50s Chicago blues scene and this Fedora recording finds him at the very peak of his powers!

With BYTHER SMITH, guitar & vocals; Frank Goldwasser, guitar & harmonica; Roger Perry, guitar, keyboard & vocals; Danny Camarena, bass; Chris Millar, drums

Tracks: I'm a Honey Bee; I Had My Fun; Monticello Miss; I Know That's Grace!; Got No Place To Go; Byther Boogie; How Much More?; 35 Long Years; Every Woman I Meet; Come On in This House; Red! You Let the Dogs Out

 I'm a Honey Bee

 Got No Place to Go

 Byther Boogie

 Come On in This House